A Very Tense New Thriller Drama Movie: Anemone
Anemone, the first film from three-time Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis in eight years, has finally arrived in cinemas after much anticipation. Co-written by Day-Lewis himself, together with his son and director Ronan Day-Lewis, the movie sets a dark and gripping tone from the start.
Plot Overview
The story opens with Jem Stoker (Sean Bean, known for Game of Thrones) solemnly praying for strength before bidding farewell to his wife, Nessa (Oscar-nominee Samantha Morton, In America). Jem then speeds off on a motorbike toward a remote shack in the Yorkshire woods, where his estranged older brother Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis) lives in self-imposed isolation.
The brothers, separated for 20 years, reunite with a frosty atmosphere and long, tense silences. Throughout the film’s two-hour duration, the reasons behind Jem's visit and Ray’s exile gradually unfold.
Atmosphere and Style
Anemone fluidly blends family drama with thriller and subtle horror elements, commanding its mood with precision from the very beginning. Though the pace is unhurried, allowing the story and motivations to develop slowly, several elements intensify the film’s mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere:
- Ben Fordesman’s gloomy cinematography
- Bobby Krlic’s evocative and elusive score
- Intense, enigmatic performances from the cast
- Ronan Day-Lewis’s heightened and distinctive directing style
"Anemone has such a strong command of tone... all combine to create a thick air of mystery, dread and suspense."
The combination makes the film a compelling experience, drawing viewers deep into its shadowy world.
Author's Summary
This quietly intense thriller explores fractured family bonds through atmospheric storytelling, powerful performances, and a haunting cinematic style.